Collectible card display holder

ABSTRACT

A collectible card display holder that utilizes a rectangular, transparent, plastic holder known in the art in combination with a frame design to provide a means for displaying cards such as baseball, football or other sports cards. The collectible card display holder includes a rectangular frame assembly disposed around the periphery of a panel member that defines a display area. A space distance is further defined in the display area between an upper row display area and a lower row display area for access space to the conventional plastic card holders disposed thereon. The panel member includes a front surface constructed of a VELCRO (trademarked) hooks and loops system, and similarly, a back panel of each of the plastic card holders include a section of a VELCRO (trademarked) hooks and loops system. This hooks and loops system releasably secures the plastic card holders to the front surface of the panel member.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Cross references to related applications: U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 60/643,227, filed Jan. 11, 2005, with title “Sportscard Wall Display” which is hereby incorporated by reference. Applicant claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. Par. 119(e)(i).

Statement as to rights to inventions made under federally sponsored research and development: Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a collectible card display holder and more particularly, to a display device for displaying cards such as baseball, football or other sports cards.

2. Brief Description of Prior Art

Collecting and trading image bearing memorabilia such as baseball, football, and other sports cards has long been and continues to be a popular hobby, and often times business. As a result, old, rare, and unusual cards have become particularly valuable and the business of collecting and trading such cards has grown. Therefore, there is a need for a device that is capable of protecting the sports card while also displaying them in an aesthetically pleasing fashion so that collectors can, for example, display their cards at home and traders can display their cards at card-trading shows and conventions. Furthermore, it is important that the display holder conveniently permit the interchanging of cards within the holder. Also, it is important that the display holder be capable of accommodating a varying number of cards so that a collector can display cards added to his collection and/or tailor the displays to best present the cards to viewers.

Typically, valuable sports trading cards are kept in substantially rectangular, transparent, rigid, protective trading card holders that generally include front and back panels of some transparent material releasably joined together by a fastening means. These rigid transparent trading card holders adequately protect the enclosed trading card from finger prints, moisture, mutilation or mangling during display, transport, or the like. Generally, such a conventional, rectangular trading card holder is used to display the trading card by placing the card in the holder and laying the holder on its back on a flat surface, such as a table, in a side-by-side fashion. While these plastic holders are quite suitable for protecting the trading cards, and for display by laying on a flat surface as discussed above, they are not individually well suited to display cards on a vertical wall.

As will be seen from the subsequent description, the preferred embodiments of the present invention overcome disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a collectible card display holder is provided which utilizes a rectangular, transparent, plastic holder known in the art in combination with a frame design to provide a protective, aesthetically pleasing, versatile, display for displaying cards such as baseball, football or other sports cards. The collectible card display holder includes a substantially rectangular frame assembly and a central panel member. The frame assembly includes top and bottom frame members and first and second side frame members. The top, bottom and side members are disposed around the periphery of the panel member and engage one another at end portions thereof to hold the panel member within the frame assembly thereby defining a display area. A space distance is further defined in the display area for access space to conventional plastic card holders disposed thereon. The panel member includes a front surface constructed of a VELCRO (trademarked) hooks and loops system. Similarly, a back panel of each of the plastic card holders include a section of a VELCRO (trademarked) hooks and loops system. This hooks and loops system releasably secures the plastic card holders to the front surface of the panel member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a collectible card display holder.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the display holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a back panel of a prior art plastic card holder.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the primary components of the present invention, a panel member and frame assembly.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an expanded display holder assembly according to the teachings of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with the present invention, a collectible card display holder is disclosed. The collectible card display holder is directed to a display device for displaying cards such as baseball, football or other sports cards. Specifically, it will be noted in the drawings that the collectible card display holder of the present invention utilizes the popular transparent, plastic holder known in the art for protecting the sports card in combination with a frame design to provide a protective, aesthetically pleasing, versatile, display for displaying cards such as baseball, football or other sports cards. In the broadest context, the collectible card display holder consists of components configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a collectible card display holder 10 made in accordance with the present invention. The display holder 10 is preferably utilized in combination with a conventional transparent, substantially rectangular plastic card holder 50 that typically is formed of front and back panels 52, 54 respectively, constructed of transparent material releasably joined together by fastening means. The trading card is removably disposed between the panels 52, 54 for protection. The display holder 10 provides a means for displaying a plurality of plastic holders 50 so that the plastic holders 50, having the trading cards therein, can be displayed on a vertical wall (not shown).

The display holder 10 includes a primary panel member 15 and a frame assembly, generally indicated at 20. As shown, the frame assembly 20 includes top and bottom frame members 22. Because the top and bottom frame members are identical in structure, they are designated by the same reference numeral, 22. The frame assembly 20 also includes first and second side frame members 24. Because the side members are identical in structure, they are likewise designated by the same numeral, 24. The frame members 22, 24 are disposed around the periphery of the panel member 15 and engage one another at end portions thereof to hold the panel member 15 within the frame assembly 20 thereby defining a display area 5.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the top and bottom frame members 22 are positioned in a generally parallel relationship, and the side members 24 are likewise positioned in a generally parallel relationship. In contrast, the members 22 and 24 respectively, are positioned in a generally perpendicular relation with respect to the panel member 15 to provide rigidity in the panel member 15. Once assembled, the panel member 15 is secured within the frame assembly 20 and defines a display area 5 that as will be described can display a plurality of plastic holders 100 with trading cards therein.

The frame assembly 20 not only serves as a means for securing the panel member 15 as described above, but also provides a means for properly aligning the plastic card holders 50 with the display area 5 of the frame assembly 20. In this regard the frame members 22, 24 include an inner edge 25 that extends the inner periphery of the frame assembly 20. As shown in FIG. 1, in application, a selected number of the plastic card holders 50 are positioned on the panel member 15 such that a lower end of the plastic card holder 50 is in abutting relationship with the inner edge 25 of the bottom frame member 22 and, a selected number of the plastic card holders 50 are positioned on the panel member 15 such that an upper end of the plastic card holder 50 is in abutting relationship with the inner edge 25 of the top frame member 22.

The length of the top and bottom frame members 22 are sized so that a predetermined number of card holders 50 can be mounted along the length of the members 22 such that the ends of the card holders 50 are flush with the inner edge 25 as discussed above to thereby display the trading card in each card holder 50 in an orderly and aesthetically pleasing manner.

As described in application, each of the plastic card holders 50 are positioned on the panel member 15 such that a lower end of the plastic card holder 50 is in abutting relationship with the inner edge 25 of the bottom frame member 22 and, the upper end of the plastic card holder 50 is in abutting relationship with the inner edge 25 of the top frame member 22.

The vertical length of the side members 24 are sized so that a distance designated as “D” in FIG. 1, of not less than approximately ½ inches remains between the upper ends of those plastic card holders 50 positioned along the bottom frame member 22 (the “lower row”) and the lower ends of those plastic card holders 50 positioned along the top frame member 22 (the “upper row”). The distance “D” between the upper and lower row of positioned plastic card holders 50 provides access space to each plastic card holder 50 in order to easily remove the plastic card holder 50 from the panel member 15 of the display holder 10. This is an important consideration to users who want to be able to handle, including inserting and removing, each plastic card holder 50 individually with ease.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the panel member 15. The panel member 15 generally includes a front surface 16 and a back side 17. The back side 17 includes means 17A for mounting the display holder 10 to the wall. The front surface 16, is preferably constructed of a VELCRO (trademarked) 16A which may be comprised of hooks and loops of a VELCRO (trademarked) system. The VELCRO (trademarked) system of the front surface 16 as described may be thought of as an attaching means in accordance with the present invention. Similarly, the back panel 54 of each of the plastic card holders 50 include a section 54A of a VELCRO (trademarked) which may be comprised of hooks and loops of a VELCRO (trademarked) system. The VELCRO (trademarked) system of the back panel 54 as described may further be thought of as an attaching means in accordance with the present invention. The attaching means of the present invention releasably and selectively secures the plastic card holders 50 to the front surface 16 of the panel member 15. In this regard, it is to be understood that the display holder 10, once assembled, can be mounted on a vertical surface or laid flat, thus enabling a plurality of trading cards within the plastic card holders 50 to be displayed in a frame system wherein the size of the frame can be varied to accommodate different numbers of plastic card holders 50.

Referring to FIG. 5, the overall size of the display holder 10 can be increased by providing an expanded assembly generally designated 100. The expanded assembly 100 has the appearance of stacking multiple display holders 10 previous described. For purposes of example only and not to be limiting in the scope of expansion, FIG. 5 illustrates an assembly 100 defining a first display area 105A and a second display area 105B. It should be understood that the expanded assembly 100 includes all the embodiments of display holder 10 as previously described, and application of the expanded assembly is identical. The expanded assembly 100 preferably includes a primary panel member 115 and a frame assembly 120. As shown, the frame assembly 120 includes top and bottom frame members 122, and a center member 123. Because the top and bottom frame members are identical in structure, they are designated by the same reference numeral, 122. The frame assembly 120 also includes first and second side frame members 124. Because the side members are identical in structure, they are likewise designated by the same numeral, 124. The frame members 122, 124 are disposed around the periphery of a panel member 115 and engage one another at end portions thereof to hold the panel member 115 within the frame assembly 120. The center member 123 is in parallel relationship with the top and bottom members 122. The ends of the center member 123 attach to the side frame members 124 thereby defining the first display area 105A and the second display area 105B.

The spacing of the center member 123 between the top and bottom members 122 is such that the first display area 105A, like the display area 15, includes a defined distance designated as “D1” disposed between an upper row area of plastic card holders 50 designated “A1”, and a lower row of plastic card holders 50 designated “A2”; and, the second display area 105B, like the display area 15, includes a defined distance designated as “D2” disposed between an upper row area of plastic card holders 50 designated as “A3”, and a lower row area of plastic card holders 50 designated as “A4”. Like the distance previously designated “D”, the distance “D1” as well as the distance “D2” should each be not less than approximately ½ inches.

Again, the construction of the panel member 115 is identical to the panel member 15, and the utilization, placement and alignment of the plastic holders 100 within the display areas 105A, 105B of the expanded assembly 100 is identical.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention.

It would be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims in the formal application and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

1. A collectible card display holder used in combination with a prior art plastic card holder, said collectible card display holder comprising: a rectangular frame assembly, a panel member secured within the frame assembly defining a card display area, an inner edge that extends the inner periphery of the frame assembly, an upper card display area disposed on said display area, a lower card display area disposed on said display area, a spaced distance disposed between said upper card display area and said lower card display area, wherein said spaced distance is not less than approximately ½ inches, wherein said panel member includes a front surface and a back side, wherein said back side includes means for mounting said display holder to a fat surface, wherein said front surface defines said display area and includes attaching means for attaching a back panel of said plastic card holder to said display area, wherein said attaching means releasably secures the plastic card holders to the display area such that a plurality of trading cards within the plastic card holders can be displayed on the flat surface.
 2. The collectible card display holder as recited in claim 1, wherein said frame assembly comprising a top and bottom frame members attached to first and second side members.
 3. The collectible card display holder as recited in claim 2, wherein said frame assembly is disposed around the periphery of the panel member.
 4. The collectible card display holder as recited in claim 1, wherein a first selected number of the plastic card holders are positioned on the display area such that a lower end of the plastic card holder is in abutting relationship with the inner edge of the bottom frame member and, a second selected number of plastic card holders positioned on the display area such that an upper end of the plastic card holder is in abutting relationship with the inner edge of the top frame member.
 5. The collectible card display holder as recited in claim 1, wherein the front surface is constructed of a VELCRO (trademarked) which may be comprised of hooks and loops of a VELCRO (trademarked) system.
 6. The collectible card display holder as recited in claim 5, wherein a back panel of each of said plastic card holders includes a section of a VELCRO (trademarked) which may be comprised of hooks and loops of a VELCRO (trademarked) system.
 7. The collectible card display holder as recited in claim 1, wherein the flat surface is a vertical wall.
 8. A collectible card display holder used in combination with a prior art plastic card holder, said collectible card display holder comprising: a frame assembly, a panel member secured within said frame assembly defining a surface, an inner edge that extends the inner periphery of the frame assembly, an upper card display area disposed on said surface, a lower card display area disposed on said surface, a spaced distance disposed on said surface, said space area further disposed between said upper card display area and said lower card display area, a mounting means for mounting said display holder to a flat surface, wherein said surface comprising attaching means for attaching the plastic card holders to said surface, wherein said attaching means releasably secures the plastic card holders to the surface such that a plurality of trading cards within the plastic card holders can be displayed on the flat surface.
 9. The collectible card display holder as recited in claim 8, wherein said frame assembly comprising a top and bottom frame members attached to first and second side members.
 10. The collectible card display holder as recited in claim 9, wherein said frame assembly is disposed around the periphery of the panel member.
 11. The collectible card display holder as recited in claim 8, wherein a first selected number of the plastic card holders are positioned on the display area such that a lower end of the plastic card holder is in abutting relationship with the inner edge of the bottom frame member and, a second selected number of plastic card holders positioned on the display area such that an upper end of the plastic card holder is in abutting relationship with the inner edge of the top frame member.
 12. The collectible card display holder as recited in claim 8, wherein the surface is constructed of a VELCRO (trademarked) which may be comprised of hooks and loops of a VELCRO (trademarked) system.
 13. The collectible card display holder as recited in claim 12, wherein a back panel of each of said plastic card holders includes a section of a VELCRO (trademarked) which may be comprised of hooks and loops of a VELCRO (trademarked) system.
 14. The collectible card display holder as recited in claim 8, wherein the flat surface is a vertical wall.
 15. The collectible card display holder as recited in claim 8, wherein the frame assembly has a rectangular configuration. 